



 |
 In Loving Memory of
Amir Halam
1980-2011
"Prince of Sweetness"
14.3 H, 1980 Arabian chestnut gelding -- AHRA # 0202872
Click here for his pedigree
(Polish, Crabbet, CMK, Lewisfield)
Born March 24, 1980, his
registered name was
Amir Halam, which, I'm
told, is Arabic for
"Prince of Sweetness".
And yes, he
was, right up
until his death, on
November 25, 2011.
He was registered as a "chestnut", which is exactly what he
was... and a fine example of one, visually. Some people might call
him a sorrel, because his legs got lighter as they went down, and he
had other lighter areas, in the pattern known as "pangare" or "mealy"
(like a mule or donkey) (see photo inset, right), especially in
winter.
He sometimes had a strange rainbow iridescence
on his coat, especially during the summer ... almost like an Akhal-Teke ... or a fish!
He
had an unalterable freeze-brand, with his breed (pure Arabian), year
of birth, and registration number on his neck, under his mane.
So no one could have successfully stolen him!
He was trained English and Western pleasure. He
COULD jump, but he hated to! So, he seldom was asked to, and
even then, only obstacles about a foot high. He did dressage
moves on cue, though he was never trained in that!
His sire was Lo Khan, the Region 14 English
Pleasure Champion twice in the late seventies. His dam was Chansonette, daughter of Lewisfield Fleur, daughter of
Lewisfield Sun God, who,
then, was his great-grandsire.
Thank you for selling him to me, Dorcas!
It was a WONDERFUL RIDE! |
Newest information and pictures are
at bottom.
Barb describes the
beginning of their history
together: "Around 1988, after not
having ridden for about 10 years, I thought I was over the 'horse
fever' I'd had since birth. Then some friends invited me to see
their (dressage) show horses, and soon they rescued a Thorough-bred
race horse (they'd said he was going to be mine at first!), with whom I
gradually began to visit and work on a regular basis. Later, I
became so attached to him that I just 'had to have him' -- and then
they sold him to a friend of theirs! I was devastated, but my dear husband and mother convinced me to try to find a replacement.
"In the spring of 1990, I
had a special $500 of my own, and had found a stable near me where
partial care board was only $50 mo. I got an additional job at a local bakery to
pay for the board, and the supplies I was going to need, and began
to look for the 'right' horse...but without much hope, due to my
financial situation.
"Fast forward to November 17th, 1990, at 4 p.m., when I took possession of a
purebred Arabian gelding worth much more, whose seller said
she wanted him to have a good home more than she wanted a lot of
money!"
Here are my husband, Joe, and son, Solomon, getting
acquainted with my new horse, probably in early 1991, at his first
home (with me) on Diehl Rd.. They were not
yet "horse people". I love the way this picture shows his nice
level croup. He's trying to convince Solomon to give him a treat
(see Amir's top lip?)
Here's
Barb riding Amir over a
tiny jump at Harvest Home
Fair's horse show around 1992 or so. He didn't win anything, but
at least he did the course ... first time he'd ever jumped anything
but the cavaletti where we were THEN boarding, at the intersection
of Blue Rock Rd. and East Miami River Rd., and an occasional fallen
tree during trail rides. These show jumps were only 18" high.
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